A functional genomic fingerprint of chronic stress in humans: blunted glucocorticoid and increased NF-kappaB signaling.

TitleA functional genomic fingerprint of chronic stress in humans: blunted glucocorticoid and increased NF-kappaB signaling.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsMiller GE, Chen E, Sze J, Marin T, Arevalo JMG, Doll R, Ma R, Cole SW
JournalBiol Psychiatry
Volume64
Issue4
Pagination266-72
Date Published2008 Aug 15
ISSN1873-2402
KeywordsC-Reactive Protein, Caregivers, Case-Control Studies, Chronic Disease, DNA Fingerprinting, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Gene Expression, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Monocytes, NF-kappa B, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Receptors, Glucocorticoid, Retrospective Studies, Saliva, Signal Transduction, Stress, Psychological
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic stressors are known to increase vulnerability to medical illness, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood.

METHODS: To identify transcriptional control pathways that are modified by chronic stress, we conducted genomewide expression microarrays on familial caregivers of brain-cancer patients (n = 11) and matched control subjects (n = 10). Analyses were conducted on peripheral blood monocytes, which are cells that have the ability to initiate and maintain many inflammatory responses. Salivary cortisol was collected over the course of 3 days as volunteers went about normal activities.

RESULTS: Caregivers' patterns of cortisol secretion were similar to those of matched control subjects. However, their monocytes showed diminished expression of transcripts bearing response elements for glucocorticoids, and heightened expression of transcripts with response elements for NF-kappaB, a key pro-inflammatory transcription factor. Caregivers also showed relative elevations in the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that even in the absence of excess adrenocortical output, stress brings about functional resistance to glucocorticoids in monocytes, which enables activation of pro-inflammatory transcription control pathways. This persistent activation of inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to stress-related morbidity and mortality.

DOI10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.03.017
Alternate JournalBiol. Psychiatry
PubMed ID18440494
PubMed Central IDPMC2581622
Grant ListR01 HL073975-01A2 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States